We always try our best to challenge your artistic abilities and produce some interesting, beautiful and creative artwork. And as designers we usually turn to different sources of inspiration. As a matter of fact, we’ve discovered the best one—desktop wallpapers that are a little more distinctive than the usual crowd. This creativity mission has been going on for over five years now1, and we are very thankful to all the designers who have contributed and are still diligently contributing each month.

This post features free desktop wallpapers created by artists across the globe for February 2013. Both versions with a calendar and without a calendar can be downloaded for free. It’s time to freshen up your wallpaper!

Please note that:

All images can be clicked on and lead to the preview of the wallpaper,

You can feature your work in our magazine2 by taking part in our Desktop Wallpaper Calendar series. We are regularly looking for creative designers and artists to be featured on Smashing Magazine. Are you one of them?

Photoshop Life

“Each layer in the layers panel is a day in the month of February. The inactive tabs are the months before and after. The tools in the panel are to apply weather, activities and food. If only life could be as simple as a photoshop document with the ability to undo or apply filters to everyday life.” — Designed by Debbie Burkhoff152 from USA.

You Complete Me

“Dedicated to one of the most famous lines in romantic movies’ history. The incomplete heart has been created by photographing a floating lantern in slow shutter speed !! Happy Valentine’s Day :).” — Designed by Krutika Anand220 from India.

Lost Without You…

“February, the month of love. This wallpaper is dedicated to all those people out there who have found that one person in life. They would understand this feeling of being lost, if that person is not around to share your joy, sorrow, success, failure. Happy Valentine’s Day!!” — Designed by Charuta Puranik from India.

She Loves Me

“Ah February, the 14th is the day when we dare a little more than usual, or we await something special from that one person – the better friend, or the better half!” — Designed by Rihards Gromuls330 from Latvia.

Groundhog

“The Groundhog emerged from its burrow on February 2. If it is cloudy, then the Spring will come early, but if it is sunny, the groundhog will see its shadow, will retreat back into its burrow, and the Winter weather will continue for six more weeks.” — Designed by Oscar Marcelo420 from Portugal.

Love Affairs

“Love is in the air this February! The last month of winter is always very romantic and inspires us to open our hearts and express our feelings to ones we love very much. This February calendar illustrates an unusual story of a young couple, who met each other by an accident.” — Designed by Brianna Davis441 from USA.

A Lost Woman.

“Instead of going with something happy and loving, I decided to make a wallpaper for those who have lost an important woman. To me, the picture means the following: The man is together with a woman he loves. But when looking in the mirror he sees the woman he should be married to. I believe all men have that one girl they loved with all their heart but could never conquer.” — Designed by Maarten Van Isterdael462 from Belgium.

Joy Of Life

“…I get most Joy in life out of Music.” This famous quote from Albert Einstein together with the firsts notes of Handel’s Recorder Sonata in G minor, inspired me to create this wallpaper. I am willing to create a series of wallpapers about the Joy of Music. We’ll see!” — Designed by Yiannis Kranidiotis473 from Greece.

Elemental Micah: Just Exhale

“I would draw one A5 image perday for five days and post it off and this was one of them. It’s strange to think that after those humble beginnings, it would end up being the cover of my graphic novel. This is something I’m very proud to show you and everytime it pops on your desktop, I hope it’ll remind you of the love that might have been…” — Designed by Michael Georgiou516 from the United Kingdom.

Every Day Should Be Valentine’s Day

“Valentine’s Day is a big business today. I personally don’t celebrate it, because I think if you love someone every day should be Valentine’s Day. :) That’s what this wallpaper is all about. The two birds – Milo and Pipita – are a wallpaper series and usually they argue about things men and women argue about ;), but as it’s the Valentine Edition I just went with something cute.” — Designed by Nicole Bauer583 from Germany.

Join In Next Month!

Please note that we respect and carefully consider the ideas and motivation behind each and every artist’s work. This is why we give all artists the full freedom to explore their creativity and express emotions and experience throughout their works. This is also why the themes of the wallpapers weren’t anyhow influenced by us, but rather designed from scratch by the artists themselves.

The Smashing team loves high-quality content and cares about the little details. Through our online articles, Smashing Books, eBooks as well as Smashing Conferences, we are committed to stimulating creativity and strengthening the web design community’s creative forces.

naomi

Jan Altus

Lots of this month’s wallpapers are fun and playful, particularly if you are a child. But I am an adult and want one that reflects that. So I have to give my vote to Elemental Micah: Just Exhale. It has intrigue, depth and style.

Shailaja

gabesas

Sonia

Wow wat a great choice… I took the flowers one although I will have to fiddle a bit with the measures as I need a 1920×1080 but will cut a bit off on top and bottom.. took the This is love to start with..will switch to Flowers after the 14th ;-)
Thanks to all the artists

Shital

Jacques

Great collection as always, I was just curious if the designers could upload iPhone/iPad (mobile) lock screen sizes or variations as well? Just to bring the monthly “wallpaper” idea to the mobile market?
My favourite here has to be “Abstract”

Rihan Terence

itsikshana

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